Category Archives: Halifax

Bluenose 5k – Just Giv’er

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The bluenose 5k wasn’t on my radar until my Dad signed up to walk the 5k. I decided to sign up and walk with him and maybe even try to run. I knew I wasn’t ready to run an entire 5k but thought I could do 3-4k.

My 1st experience with any type of race and it was pretty amazing. It was a bit overwhelming at the starters line, such a crowd of people starting and couldn’t really figure how it would all work but once we got underway it was fine. It’s a bit of a buzz with all the people around, and the crowd cheering you on along the way is so fantastic. There was a band around the 2.5 mark and another one close to the 4k mark, gives you the push to finish strong.

Random thoughts at the start line:

Wish I’d brought a watch
Need to pee again!
What time is it?
Why are people taking knapsacks with them, this is just the 5k right?
Should I start out running or will I trip?
What time is it, I mean who doesn’t bring a watch to a race??
God what am I doing here?
I need a buddy here with me.
Jesus when does this start!

A couple of friends cheered me on along the route which was so amazing! I didn’t tell a lot of people about this because I wasn’t sure I’d run or not, but what I realize it really doesn’t matter just go out there and do your personal best. I even met up along the route with an old basketball pal, so great and we had a little chat and encouraged each other to continue.

All in all a great day and proud of my Dad for walking the 5k. We finished off the day with a celebratory steak dinner and plans for next year with a few more recruitments for our team!

My official chip time was 38:52.7. I did my best Ben Johnson sprint to finish under 40 minutes.

The Bluenose Marathon is a great event for all ages, well organized and something our city should be very proud of, the website:

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Filed under Halifax, Nova Scotia, Running

In search of the runner’s high

March 17th seemed like one of the coldest mornings we had in Halifax this winter. I was driving to meet my friend Jennifer for our first run and the radio said it was -20 with the wind chill – I should mention it was 6AM and pitch black.

We’ve decided to meet 3x per week in the morning at her place and run around her neighbourhood. As I’m running the thoughts that go through my mind are really not fit to put in here (keeping it clean mom). No wonder every runner I come across has a look of pain on their face. Seriously, have you ever seen a happy runner? I can only imagine what I look like, I’m a bit of a drooler – yes that’s right folks I drool when I run or if I’m in the vicinity of a Caesar (the drink not the salad).

I’m trying to work my way up to a 5k run. Before I turned 40 I wanted to do a 10k but that has since come and gone. Now striving for a 5k by end of this summer…stay tuned, I could have down to 2k by Canada Day!

Recently, I had a great chat with my cousin who is an avid runner and has competed in a few triathlons. She started out the way I am and really struggled but I spoke with her about this and she gave me some great advice and inspiration to continue. Although she did tell me she doesn’t even like running, I was floored by this statement.  Makes me wonder if there are any happy runners out there?

My curling team has kind of  tossed the idea around of doing a 5k together. We usually do an outing every month during our off-season. I’m going to suggest an afternoon matinée at the lower deck and maybe run home, I don’t think they’ll go for it though.

Everybody says it gets easier and to keep with it, and I’ve yet to reach the runner’s high they all talk about, I don’t think I’ve run long enough in one stretch to reach it, but I can hardly wait!

Diggin’ deep for 5k…stay tuned for updates!

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Filed under Halifax, Running